Introduction:
Hippopotamuses, commonly known as hippos, are large and sometimes dangerous mammals from Africa. They are found in the rivers and lakes of Southern, Central, and East Africa. Hippos are often seen as comical creatures due to their large size and lazy behavior that often looks funny to onlookers. Despite their playful antics, hippos can be quite dangerous and are known to attack without warning. These animals have some interesting and unique traits and behaviors, and here are 15 facts about them that are not widely known.
Fact 1: Hippos are the Second Largest Land Mammal
Hippos are the second largest land mammal, coming in second after elephants. An adult hippo can grow up to 15 feet in length, and weigh up to 8,000 pounds! They have large, bulky bodies that are mostly covered in grayish-brown skin.
Fact 2: Hippos Spend Most of Their Life in Water
Though hippos are land mammals, they spend most of their lives in the water. They are excellent swimmers and can remain underwater for up to five minutes at a time. Hippos often rest in rivers or lakes to stay cool during the hot days in Africa.
Fact 3: Hippos Can Run at a Speed of 20 Miles per Hour
Hippos may look slow and lumbering, but in reality, they are fast runners! They can reach speeds of up to 20 miles an hour, which is nearly as fast as a human can run. Though they can be deceptively quick, hippos prefer to move slowly and plop down in the water when it’s too hot to move.
Fact 4: Hippos are Aggressive and Territorial
Hippos can be quite aggressive and are known to attack humans without provocation. They are very territorial and will charge and attack any animal or human that trespasses into their territory. Hippos also engage in mock-fighting and head-butting as a way of establishing dominance within a school of hippos.
Fact 5: Hippos Float in Water
Despite their massive size, a hippo can easily float in water. They can even remain afloat while sleeping, due to the buoyancy of their large bodies, which are made up of mostly fat and muscle.
Fact 6: Hippos Have Very Thin Skin
Hippos have a very thin layer of skin that is surprisingly sensitive. Despite looking thick and tough, their skin is actually very thin and can even detect the slightest touch. It’s also covered in sweat glands, which help keep them cool in the heat of Africa.
Fact 7: Hippos Open and Close Their Mouths to Communicate
Hippos have a unique way of communicating with each other. They open and close their mouths to express a range of emotions, such as aggression, submission, curiosity, and joy. They also vocalize when they are feeling threatened or excited.
Fact 8: Hippos are Very Social Animals
Hippos are highly social animals and live in groups, called schools, of up to 30 individuals. However, they are mostly solitary and only come together to mate or feed. They also have a distinct hierarchy within their schools, with the dominant cow leading the group.
Fact 9: Hippos are Herbivores
Hippos are herbivores and feed mainly on grass and leaves. They forage for food in the evening and early morning, when it’s cooler. They can consume up to 150 pounds of food a day, and they use their large incisors to crop and cut the grass.
Fact 10: Hippos can Hold Their Breath for 8 Minutes
Hippos can hold their breath for 8 minutes when underwater, which is an incredibly long time for a mammal. In comparison, humans can usually hold their breath for only about a minute.
Fact 11: Hippos Produce Pinkish-Red Fluids
Hippos produce a pinkish-red fluid that looks like blood. This fluid is made up of antibacterial compounds that act as a sunscreen and moisturizer for their skin. The fluid is also believed to have healing properties, and can even be used to treat skin infections and cuts.
Fact 12: Hippos Bore Their Teeth for Self-Defense
When threatened, hippos can bare their long, sharp incisor teeth as a defensive measure. These incisors can grow up to 12 inches long, and are sharp enough to pierce through most materials. However, in most cases, the hippos use this display as a warning sign and rarely use their teeth to attack.
Fact 13: Hippos can Instantly Change Direction While Running
Though they may seem slow and lumbering, hippos can suddenly change direction while running at full speed. This agility is necessary in order to escape predators or ambush prey in water.
Fact 14: Hippos Have 4 Toes on Their Front Feet and 3 Toes on Their Back Feet
The hippo’s hooves are adapted for swimming and running in water. They have four toes on their front feet and three toes on their back feet. The webbing between the toes helps them move more efficiently in water.
Fact 15: Hippos Cannot Sleep for Long Periods of Time
Hippos are unable to sleep for long periods of time or go into hibernation like other mammals. When tired, they instead go into a deep meditative state in which their metabolism slows down significantly and their breathing becomes very shallow.
Conclusion
Hippos can be dangerous, but also lovable and humorous animals. These interesting creatures have some incredible traits and behaviors, as outlined in the 15 facts presented in this article. From their amazing swimming abilities to their razor-sharp teeth, they are truly remarkable animals.
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